noun

agony

AG-uh-nee/ˈæɡəni/

Extreme physical or emotional pain.

He sits with his head in his hands in emotional agony.

An adult sits curled on a simple chair with head bowed into both hands and shoulders tense in overwhelming grief, one ordinary unmarked tissue nearby; depict severe mental anguish respectfully, no injury, gore or sensational backdrop.

Etymology

Greek agōnia described a struggle for victory and also mental anguish. The extension to extreme bodily pain perhaps reflects suffering so severe that it causes struggling.

In context

The School of Life0:36

part of the agony of choosing at such moments is that we are in the background consumed by the idea that the wrong choice may prove appalling

How to Make a Decision

More examples

Waiting for news of her missing child was agony.
He spent the night in agony with a broken tooth.
The final moments of the close game were sheer agony for the fans.

Forms

agony · agonies

agonizing adjective — causing extreme pain or distress

Similar words

pain: Broader and can be much less intense.
anguish: Often emphasizes severe emotional suffering.